Enjoy Wasted Time

“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” Bertrand Russell

Painting by Velda Brotherton

How very true this is. The other day I got to thinking about all the time I spend dreaming up stories. Sometimes hours go by when I do little in production but much in creative meandering. I guess all those who create do so in much the same way. Whether it be words on paper, paint on canvas, music from instruments, or the dozens of other artistic endeavors that allow our brains and hands to work together but often don’t show results for days, weeks, even months.

Just think of the magnificent results from such “wasted time.” Beethoven, Chopin, Elvis, James Lee Burke, Emily Dickinson, Poe, Monet. We could fill tomes with just the names of those who have enlightened our lives with beauty of so many varieties we can’t begin to name them all.

So this summer sit in the shade or the sun, whichever you prefer and spend some time enjoying the imaginings of your mind. No telling what you might discover there.

As a writer, the creations of others have inspired me. From Edgar Allan Poe I drew twisted titles for a new mystery series; a poem by Emily Dickinson inspired a literary novel that will be published in August. Beyond the Moon is a phrase from that poem about war and the dark consequences of sending our young men into battle. I yearn to write as well as James Lee Burke, and that makes me strive harder to make every word, sentence and paragraph sing with meaning.

Enjoy your summer and don’t forget to waste some time that you enjoy. I sure will.